Altai mountain hike

Mongolian Full Trekking Tour

Mongolian trekking tour program

🏔 Altai Mountains Full Trekking Tour — Detailed Itinerary

Region: Western Mongolia – Bayan-Ölgii Province
Protected Area: Altai Tavan Bogd National Park – home to glaciers, alpine valleys, rock art, and nomadic cultures.
Trekking is guided only under Mongolian law due to proximity to border areas.

Day 1 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

  • Touch down at Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
  • Meet your trekking team and guide.
  • Transfer to hotel in Ulaanbaatar for rest.
  • Optional short city tour or preparation meeting.

Day 2 – Fly to Ölgii / Drive to Altai Base

  • Take a domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii (capital of Bayan-Ölgii).
  • Meet crew (driver, guide, cook, pack animals).
  • Drive toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
  • Camp first night at White River Valley beside Tuvan nomadic families.
  • Immerse in local Kazakh/Tuvan culture.

Day 3 – Hike to Base Camp (Potanin Glacier)

  • Start trekking with camels transporting your gear.
  • Cross open alpine valleys and scenic streams.
  • Arrive at Base Camp near the Potanin Glacier, Mongolia’s longest glacier.
  • Time to explore glacier edges and surrounding moraines.
  • Camp at the edge of glacier wilderness.

Day 4 – Optional Malchin Peak Hike

  • Optional summit hike toward Malchin Peak (4,050 m), the most accessible peak of the Tavan Bogd massif, without technical gear.
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the Altai highlands, including distant snowy ridges.
  • Return to Base Camp for another night under stars.

Day 5 – Trek Back to White River Valley

  • Retrace your steps through rolling meadows and glacial streams.
  • Arrive back at White River Valley campsite.
  • Visit local nomadic families, learn about pastoral traditions, and share meals.

Day 6 – Trek to Har Salaa Valley

  • Continue your trek deeper into Altai Tavan Bogd NP.
  • Pass ancient petroglyphs and rock art sites, some of Asia’s largest.
    (UNESCO-listed Petroglyph Complexes are inside the park).
  • Arrive at the scenic Har Salaa valley — a summer grazing area for nomads.
  • Camp with mountain views and fresh air.

Day 7 – Bear Valley

  • Trek toward Bear Valley, crossing ridges and highland terrain.
  • Look for wildlife such as deer and mountain birds.
  • Mountain vistas and valley streams shape one of the most dramatic sections of the trek.

Day 8 – Aq Su Valley / Kazakh Nomadic Life

  • Walk toward Aq Su Valley, following glacial rivers and passing alpine lakes.
  • Camp beside Kazakh summer pastures.
  • Visit nomadic families to observe traditional crafts, milk product preparation, and daily life.
  • Photograph vibrant cultural scenes.

Day 9 – Drive Back to Ölgii

  • Trek ends.
  • Load gear and drive back to Ölgii.
  • Stop at the Bal-Bals (“Dear Stones” — ancient anthropomorphic stone markers).
  • Overnight in hotel with a hot shower.
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner and Kazakh folk concert.

Day 10 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

  • Fly from Ölgii back to Ulaanbaatar.
  • Transfer to hotel.
  • In the afternoon, visit Terelj National Park — hike around Turtle Rock and Aryabal Meditation Temple.
  • Stay in a traditional ger camp.

Day 11 – Ulaanbaatar City Tour

  • Visit Chinggis Khaan Statue and climb to the viewpoint.
  • Explore museums and local markets — a contrast to the wilderness journey.
  • Final night in the capital.

Day 12 – Departure

  • Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your flight home.
  • Reflect on an unforgettable trek across Mongolia’s true wild heart.

🧭 Highlights & What You’ll Experience

🌄 Epic Locations

  • Potanin Glacier and glacial landscapes
  • Alpine valleys (White River, Bear Valley, Har Salaa, Aq Su)
  • Ancient rock art and petroglyphs
  • Kazakh & Tuvan nomadic culture

🥾 Trekking

  • Walking 5–7 hours on varied terrain
  • Camel-supported gear transport
  • Moderate challenging altitude sections

🏕 Camping

  • Under starry skies beside lakes, valleys, and riverbanks

🎶 Cultural Immersion

  • Evening folk music in Ölgii
  • Visit nomadic families and observe crafts, livestock, and traditions

📆 Best Times to Go

🌞 June–September — warm mountain days with the best trail conditions.

Note: Malchin Peak hikes and glacier regions are most manageable in mid-summer.

  • Mongolian trekking tours
  • Mongolian trekking tours

The best time to do climbing up to Khuiten peak tour is starting from June through summer until September.

Travel information

Mongolia trekking

Trekking destinations

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Altai mountain get to

How to get to Mongolia

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hiking preparation

How to be prepared

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trekking

Travel information

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